Almost all newspapers published in Kathmandu on Thursday have prioritised reports related to the Nepal-US foreign minister meeting in Washington. Reports related to an Italian contractor’s decision to pull out of the Melamchi drinking water project has also received attention. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Thursday.
Important
US seeks Nepal’s key role in Indo-Pacific
The historic meeting between the foreign ministers of Nepal and the United States has generated quite a bit of analysis in the press. While Republica says that the US has sought Nepal’s central role in its ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy–widely seen as a counter to the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative. The paper reports that the Indo-Pacific strategy is part of the US bid to contain China’s rise in the region. The Kathmandu Post, meanwhile, says that the move could invite friction between Beijing and Kathmandu. The paper quotes former Foreign Ministry Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya to say that this is a sign that major powers want to induct Nepal into their strategic sphere and Nepal should be careful about it. Annapurna Post quotes the Nepali delegation to say that Nepal prioritises its ties with the US as if it were a neighbouring country.
Govt to appoint local contractor to complete Melamchi
After CMC (an Italian firm) decided to pull out of the Melamchi Drinking Water project, the government has been advised to hire a local contractor to finish the project, says Kantipur. The paper says that it will take at least six months to issue a tender to complete the project. It quotes former bureaucrats to say that local contractors that have experience building hydropower projects can finish the concrete lining work of the tunnel. The Himalayan Times, meanwhile, says that the government will seize Rs 3 billion performance bond deposited by the Italian company and use it to complete the project. Republica reports that the Melamchi project (Italian contractor) has not paid 1,000 workers their wages in the last two months
Ignored
Ministers misusing state facilties
Naya Patrika in its lead story says level ministers were misusing fuel allowances provided to them by the state. It reports that 23 out of the 24 ministers in the Oli government have been raking over Rs 20,000 each month in the name of petrol allowance but they also get 150-200 litre free fuel form the government.
Border crossing only on foot
Republica reports that a new rule has been enforced in Birgunj which forces people to cross the border on foot. The new rule came into effect from Wednesday after a notice was put up on Tuesday at the customs office. In the report, the paper adds that the locals are not happy about the new rule and that it has drawn widespread criticism.
Interesting
First ever sentence till death issued in Nepal
Kantipur and The Himalayan Times report that Kusum Paudel, 27, who raped a 10-year-old girl, has been sentenced to life in prison under Section 41 of the new penal code. This is the first time that a court in Nepal issued such a sentence.
